Endurance Testing

Endurance Testing

The Hofmann Endurance & Performance (Mileage Accumulation) systems utilise the same range of chassis dynamometers as for the emissions application. This provides not only the reliability expected from a machine that will operate 24/7 but also the accuracy to provide meaningful results.

As Standard a range of machine configurations and powers are available from 150kW 2WD for Light Duty passenger vehicle applications to high power fully independent 8 or 16WD units for high capacity commercial or special application vehicles.

By integrating a Robot Driver, automatic re-fuelling, air speed simulation fans, data acquisition and safety devices, we provide a fully automated test cell, enabling unsupervised, 24-hour testing of the vehicle over its expected lifespan, (typically 100,000 miles or more) in an accelerated time period.

Hofmann have been involved in the supply of Mileage Accumulation Chassis Dynamometer test systems from the earliest requirements for the regulatory U.S.E.P.A. 50, 000 miles, exhaust system endurance testing. With the development of our product capability and the increasing demands for more sophisticated test requirements from our customers, this application has evolved into a fully flexible Automated Test solution. These systems now include a Chassis Dynamometer, an integrated Robot Driver, automated fuel filling units, comprehensive Data Acquisition, airspeed simulation fans, automated safety guards and security systems for unattended operation 24hrs a day / 7 days a week – collectively providing a highly effective, advanced endurance or rapid development test facility.

As the capability of the systems has increased, the Test Engineers have been able to produce more intricate simulations of real world situations under controlled conditions. What used to be called a “Mileage Accumulation Facility” now also provides a variety of dedicated and sophisticated tests for powertrain development. The traditional Mileage Accumulation Facility remains a semi-outdoor installation; however today you are as likely to find the Froude Hofmann automated systems installed in test chambers where the automation of the testing process is extremely beneficial.

The unique ability of Hofmann to engineer and integrate all the devices into one complete test automation system realises many features and benefits for the test engineer, including; reduced interfaces and controllers, fully integrated control and data acquisition, synchronisation of test cell sub systems (robot driver, automated fuel filling systems, airspeed simulation fan), automated drive cycle control and monitoring and effective integration of all the safety systems.

The core of the system is a comprehensive schedule generator function for creating, editing and executing the automated drive cycles. This utility in conjunction with the Robot Driver system; provides a highly capable “real world” or regulatory simulation package with human driving capability and fully automatic operation of all the vehicle function.

Standard mileage accumulation cycles are pre-programmed and special and/or complex cycles are easily generated using the schedule generator or road gathered data functions.

Hofmann supply a range of Vehicle Test System products to the automotive and commercial vehicle markets which are specifically designed for testing passenger cars, light to heavy-duty trucks, motor cycles, buses, agricultural vehicles, and specific component subassemblies.